The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has credited the Emyooga programme for her unopposed victories in Bukedea District, saying the government initiative has directly transformed livelihoods and strengthened public trust in leadership.
“I have been unopposed in Bukedea for two times, and why have I been unopposed? Courtesy of what the Microfinance Support Centre has done in Bukedea,” Among said.
“You have been part of my success story. I have said it everywhere, even before the President, that you have done a lot in my constituency.”
The Speaker made the remarks on Tuesday while closing a three-day National Forum of All Emyooga beneficiaries at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The forum brought together beneficiaries and leaders to review progress made under the programme and chart the way forward on financial inclusion and wealth creation.
Among praised Emyooga beneficiaries—whom she described as “missionaries”—for mobilising communities across the country towards saving, value addition and enterprise development.
She formally declared her commitment to champion the programme, saying, “I am part of the Emyooga family. I will promote the Emyooga family. I officially accept to be the chief missionary of the Emyooga family.”
She underscored the importance of accountability and proper utilisation of funds, noting that effective oversight protects public confidence in the programme.
“Whenever there is anything, even an audit, I ask for explanations, because this should not go out and discourage people from embracing Emyooga,” she said.
Citing examples from across the country, Among said Emyooga has improved saving culture, enabled value addition and created jobs, especially among women and youth.
“People can now save. You find someone saying, ‘I have three million shillings kept in a circle.’ That is what we want—a saving and credit culture,” she noted.
The Speaker also credited President Yoweri Museveni for conceptualising the programme, describing Emyooga as a pillar of wealth creation and job growth.
“The idea of financial inclusion and value addition came from President Museveni,” she said, adding that peace and stability have created an enabling environment for enterprises to thrive.
Among called for continued mobilisation, repayment discipline to keep the fund revolving, and increased support to well-performing groups.
She further welcomed the government’s decision to increase funding for Emyooga, saying strong leadership and education of beneficiaries have made the programme outperform others in some areas.
“As Speaker of Parliament and chief mobiliser, I want to assure you of my unwavering support,” Among said, urging beneficiaries to protect the gains made through sustained productivity, accountability and community empowerment.
Speaking at the same event, Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) Executive Director John Peter Mujuni described Emyooga beneficiaries as voluntary ambassadors of wealth creation across the country.
“Honorable Speaker, the people before you are missionaries. They are disciples taking around the gospel of wealth creation. This gospel was started by none other than His Excellency the President of this Republic of Nigeria,” Mujuni said.
“These missionaries on their own, on the basis of volunteering, decided that they would take around the whole country this message of wealth creation, this message of poverty eradication… They have gone deep in the rural areas.”
Mujuni said the Speaker’s presence at the forum, despite a tight schedule, demonstrated her commitment to the programme, adding that beneficiaries regard her as their leader.
“For that matter, we consider the Right Honorable Speaker the chief missionary. She is the chief missionary for the Mioga. She is the head missionary for the Mioga,” he said, noting that MSC has built structures from national to village level to ensure effective implementation.
He further highlighted achievements registered under Emyooga, including value addition, product certification and growth in savings.
“These people have promoted savings in the country… When you go to circles today, you will find savings going up,” Mujuni said, adding that strong leadership within the circles has ensured sustainability and good governance.
A beneficiary, Ritah Redemptor from Kitagwenda District, welcomed the Speaker’s remarks, saying they were encouraged by her recognition of progress made under Emyooga.
“She actually appreciated the work that we are doing. She even made a few recommendations, like those that are doing well, that are in value addition… should be given more funding to boost their businesses,” Redemptor said.
She added that the Speaker also recognised well-performing circles beyond production and pledged increased funding for the programme.
Redemptor cited success stories among beneficiaries, noting that many started with ideas that have since grown into registered enterprises.
“Most of the beneficiaries of the yoga… originally… had no businesses, but only ideas. So most of these ideas have been realised… and turned into business enterprises,” she said.
According to Redemptor, the enterprises are creating jobs, with each employing between five and 50 people, contributing to national employment.
She, however, acknowledged challenges, including loan repayment by some beneficiaries and rising demand for the programme amid limited funds.
“We still have a few people that have not been in a position to pay back the loans… but we have also developed a programme of going to them and giving them support,” Redemptor said, adding that the Speaker’s pledge to boost funding offered hope going forward.